How long can I be absent from Spain without losing my five-year count?

To keep accumulating qualifying residence, your absences from Spain must stay within set limits. As a general rule, no single absence should exceed six continuous months, and there is an overall cap on total time spent outside Spain across the five-year period.

Longer or more frequent absences can interrupt the continuity of residence and reset your eligibility. Work-related absences may be treated more generously. Because the precise limits depend on current regulations and your situation, confirm them before any extended trip abroad.